A few years ago I started, with great aplomb, the Great Monthly Book Giveaway. I was to give away a book each month and write about both recipient and tome. Even if you couldn’t be bothered to follow the link, you clever folk would have guessed as much. It fizzled out after a short while, I was possibly distracted by a kitten or puppy, or perhaps a plant sale. To mark nothing in particular, I have decided to relaunch the concept, with less expectation of myself, as The Random Book Giveaway. This could refer to either the randomness of the book or the frequency of my gifts. All bases covered.
First we have the book, The Library – A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur Der Weduwen. I have been interested in manuscripts, both aesthetically and historically, for many years, have read several books on the subject and have admired examples in all their glorious splendour at The British Library. This book was a natural progression and is as comprehensive as it is captivating. It covers passion and politics, war and wealth, heartbreaking wonton destruction, acquisitiveness and art. Through the centuries, from scrolls to digital readers, it is a thoroughly entrancing and accessible read.
Next we have the recipient, Maggie. I first met Maggie when she worked at one of my favourite places, for both the plants and people, Marwood Hill Gardens, in North Devon. We were forever bumping into each other at various horti-events and she was always kind to point out if I was wearing a piece of clothing back-to-front or inside out, which admittedly is not a rare occurence. Despite all this, we didn’t become proper friends, not in the “here, have my number, let us meet for coffee/wine/chat” kind of way. However, I always felt it was on the cards, just around the corner, she was fun and bright and I liked her. Then we moved to South Wales and the moment passed.
Or did it? As luck would have it, we found each other again on-line and discovered we both had an interest in manuscripts and the like. Who’d have guessed? We took an on-line course together, on Anglo-Saxon art, although I played truant often, true to form. Other things too, it seems, we have in common; a love of art and poetry and wildlife. Virtual friends we will have to be, for the foreseeable future. But I think that is OK, although I will miss the coffee/wine/chat and it will be tricky when it comes to righting my wardrobe. It will have to suffice.
Now you have been introduced to both book and person, I hope you agree, that this will be a perfect match. The Library and Maggie, I know that she will love it, just as I did. I certainly hope so.
Off The Edge Gardening 
To be fair, your original idea was always going to fizzle out. You planned that and said so. The monthlies would end in December 2020. And you made it as far as August* so more than 50% of the target.
*OK, only technically cos August was actually a late July.
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Not bad then!
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You are a deep and mysterious person, and through your blog I am getting to know you my ‘virtual SOS Sister’. I too like manuscripts and old books, and am currently reading Hidden Hands: The lives of Manuscripts and Their Makers, by Mary Wellesley.
I am going to chase through and look at some of the books you have talked about they might inspire some of my next reads. Some I buy, and usually give away, and some I borrow from the good local library.
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I’ve got that book, but not read it yet. You, in turn, have spurred me on!
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What a kind and generous thing to do.
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Only a little thing really, but thank you.
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A wonderful idea! My attention was caught by your mention of Marwood, a garden I truly enjoyed.
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That is nice to hear. A magical place, very dear to my heart.
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When I think of Gill, I smile, and I often laugh out loud when I read her blogs. Forever etched in my mind is the afternoon she gave our local Plant Heritage group a tour around the garden where she was the head gardener. She rounded off the visit by performing a magnificent set of cartwheels across the lawn!
That’s Gill for me, but what I’ve never expected her to be, is someone to make me cry! Which she did when I became the recipient of The Random Book Giveaway. I admit to having been quite overwhelmed when this gorgeous book – The Fragile Library – arrived on my doorstep.
It’s so much more than a book about libraries, giving a fascinating social history that joins up so many dots for me, from the earliest of manuscripts to our present day reading materials. It’s a book not to be rushed, but savored and although I’ve only just finished it, I know that I’ll be dipping in again and again.
So, thank you so much for this book Gill, and in the true spirit of the library, I will of course lend this book to others to read, but it will always be a treasured book of my very own library collection.
Oh and I’m not giving up on the chance of us having that cup of coffee/wine/chat just yet.
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Thank you Maggie, I had forgotten about the cartwheels, might need a little training before attempting them again, but never say never!
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